Searching for homes is exciting at first but as time wears on, it can become very frustrating. Our first article discusses a service that notifies you of homes which match your criteria as soon as they hit the market!The "back to school’ routine is a big adjustment after the lazy days of summer. Our second article offers some organizational tips that'll help keep your family on track.

Finally, bananas are known to be a nutritious and delicious snack but surprisingly, the peel also contains many natural, useful properties. Read on for some secrets of the skin!

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The Internet has changed the way many of us live our lives, and the process of buying a home is no exception. Buyers previously had to visit a real estate office and thumb through a large book of homes to find out what’s on the market.These days, everything's instantly updated online.

Purchasers have fun at first plugging in home preferences and browsing through a variety of homes.It soon gets pretty frustrating though as subsequent searches force you to sift through homes you’ve already looked at just to discover the latest ones that have hit the market.By the time you finally find your perfect home online, it could be too late.

Some agents now offer a service that emails you properties which match your criteria so you won’t miss out on your dream home.Although there’s no obligation, it’s best to stick with one agent in order to build a strong relationship so they'll be better able to understand your needs.Dealing with more than one agent is unnecessary and causes confusion as agents have access to all the same homes.

It’s important to get acquainted with the market so you’ll be confident enough to move quickly when your dream home finally comes along.You’ll want to provide your agent with a detailed list of criteria that clearly specifies your needs and wants -- for example:

What style of home do you prefer?

Are the schools in the area important to you?

What’s more important:the type of home or the location?

What are the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms?

Does the house have to be in ‘move in’ condition or are you prepared to fix it up?

It’s important to establish a strong line of communication with your agent so they’ll be in tune with your likes and dislikes.Be sure to provide feedback when you receive property updates as it'll help your agent better understand your preferences.It’s a gut wrenching feeling to miss out on a dream home due to miscommunication so make sure you're on the same page.

Finding the perfect home isn't always easy but the right system and clear communication will make it much more enjoyable! If you know of someone who's house hunting, have them drop me a line so I can send them full updates of homes that match their criteria as soon as they hit the market! Instead of playing the frustrating game of telephone tag, they'll be able to sit back and enjoy the process.

Summer will soon be over which means 'back to school' chaos is right around the corner.Adjusting to back to school mode is simple when you prepare and set up some regular routines.Here are a few tips on how to make the transition a little easier for everyone:

Plan Ahead - Get in the habit of doing as much as you can the night before.The morning routine will be smoother if you lay out clothes, pack backpacks and make lunches in advance.

Get Organized - Designate a central ‘information station’ where school notes can be processed and schedules are pinned up.Kids will know where to drop off and pick up items which reduces the chance of something getting misplaced.

Bedtime Blues -Your little night owls will benefit from having their bedtimes rolled backa few weeks before school.Also, start gradually setting the alarm a little earlier to help them get used to the early morning routine.

Bake in Bulk -Double up your next batch of muffins and freeze some so you’ll have extra after school snacks or lunch treats.For a healthy option, use summer fruits like berries and whole wheat flour.

Stay Positive - Returning to school is an emotional adjustment for children so help them stay positive and ensure you’re available as much as possible for the first little while.

Back to school doesn’t have to be about forgotten lunches, unlabelled belongings and lost permission slips!With a little organization and planning, you'll be able to enjoy the rest of the summer knowing that September will be smooth sailing.

Banana peel is known widely for the centuries old 'slip and fall' gag.It turns out however that there are some pretty amazing uses for the potassium rich peel.Here are just a few:

For an eco-friendly shoe shine, rub the inside of the peel on your shoes then buff with a dry cloth.

Us the inside of the peel to wipe down your houseplants to get rid of dust so your plants will look healthy and shiny.

Banana peel is a wonderful skin treatment and can be used in many ways from dealing with rashes and acne to soothing mosquito bites.

It’s great to know that after you enjoy a nutritious snack you can get even more bang for your buck with what otherwise would have ended up in the trash.The next time you reach for a banana, don’t slip up by tossing away the most useful part!

Oh by the way, we always appreciate any of your introductions. If you know of anyone that may benefit from our individualised help please contact us with their name and number and let them know that we will be in touch. We would be privileged to assist them!If you would like to keep up on the market and would like automatic email notifications of new listings, sales, etc. Click here or drop us an email at team@teamw.ca or give us a call: 250-468-1498

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